International Media Watch of news headlines and current affairs reports about Romania

Monday, February 21, 2011

AP: Romanian city mayor charged with corruption

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors say a city mayor and his deputy have been charged with abusing their positions in a corruption scandal which cost the city 700,000 lei (US$228,000).

They say mayor Ovidiu Hada and his deputy, Nicolae Dan, from the western city of Hunedoara, signed contracts between the city hall and a local company for renting a digger, and goods and services from companies whose owner also worked for city hall.

Prosecutors said Friday the funds were then redirected to a non-governmental organization run by the mayor's father.

The council estimated losses of 700,000 lei (US$228,000) from the contracts.

Corruption is widespread in Romania.

In the last year, authorities have charged several mayors and officials with corruption.